A great tattoo starts before the needle touches your skin. The first real decision is choosing an artist whose work fits the tattoo you want. The right artist is not simply the first person with an open chair. It is the Official whose portfolio, technique and experience match your vision.
At Official Ink Eastside in Stone Mountain, clients can choose from multiple artists instead of forcing every tattoo through one style. Here is how to make the right decision and get better results from your appointment.
Before comparing artists, define what you actually want. Is it fine-line lettering, a bold color piece, a realistic portrait, black-and-grey shading, a cover-up or a large custom concept? Two artists can both be talented and still be right for completely different projects. Review healed work and completed tattoos that resemble the style you want. Look at line quality, shading, color saturation, composition and how the artist handles the body area you are considering.
Price matters, but the lowest quote should never be the only factor on permanent work. The stronger question is: who is best equipped to execute this tattoo correctly?
Reference images help communicate direction. Bring examples of the style, mood, details and composition you like. Your artist can use those references to build something suited to your body and preferences. Include preferred placement, approximate size, black-and-grey or color preference, required names, dates or symbols, and images showing the style you like.
A small symbol and a full sleeve require different planning. Large tattoos may need multiple sessions, while tapout sessions allow clients to complete a substantial amount of work during an extended appointment. If you are planning a sleeve, back piece, portrait or cover-up, choose an artist who regularly completes that type of work.
Once you find an artist you like, ask focused questions: Is this design a good fit for the placement? Will the details hold at this size? How long should the appointment take? Will the project require multiple sessions? What should I do before the appointment?
Walk-ins are welcome at Official Ink, but a walk-in cannot guarantee that a particular artist will be available. If you have already chosen your Official, book directly through the artist page. That gives the artist time to review the idea and reserve enough time for the work. The Eastside shop is located at 5045 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083.
Choosing an artist is part of creating the tattoo. Take the extra few minutes to view the roster, compare portfolios and select the person whose work feels right. Once you find the match, send the idea and lock in the appointment.
